Forest allometric models - Pacific region
Spanish cedar (Cedrela odorata), tangare or crabwood (Carapa guianensis) and vanillo (Jacaranda copaia)
- Thematic area:
- Integrated management of the productive system
- Productive system:
- Forestry
- Geographic coverage:
-
Pacific region
Descripción
Allometric models are mathematical equations and a practical and precise alternative to estimate the growth in height of native species of the Pacific region: Spanish cedar (Cedrela odorata), tangare or crabwood (Carapa guianensis), and vanillo (Jacaranda copaia), utilizing variables of easy measurement for the user such as stem diameter at 1.3 m height above ground level (DBH) and the age of the trees.
The models favor the rational use of economic resources since the purchase of expensive equipment is avoided, such as the Sunto clinometer or the Vertex hypsometer, and only low-cost tools are used –such as measuring tapes or diametric tapes– for measuring the diameter of the trees.
Using allometric equations reduces the costs and time of forest inventory by up to 50 % and allows reliable estimates of the height of the trees on the plantation.
These models have a high percentage of adjustment: Spanish cedar (Cedrela odorata) and vanillo (Jacaranda copaia) 92.3 %, and tangare or crabwood (Carapa guianensis) 93.6 %. Below are the equations for each of the three species:
| Species | Equation |
|---|---|
| Spanish cedar (Cedrela odorata) | TH= -0.017 * DBH^2 + 1.16 * DBH - 2.12 |
| Tangare or crabwood (Carapa guianensis) | TH= 1.25496 * (DBH)^0.4284 * (DBH2)^0.138 |
| Vanillo (Jacaranda copaia) | TH= 0.68 * DBH + 0.95 |
Where:
TH = total height in meters (m)
DBH = diameter at breast height in centimeters (cm), measured at 1.3 m above ground level.
Recommended offer for the departments of Antioquia (Urabá Antioqueño), Chocó, Valle del Cauca, Cauca and Nariño.
All municipalities located in the rainforest or tropical humid forest region of the Pacific, assigned to the related departments that have specific environmental conditions similar to those of the site where the allometric model was generated (El Mira research center of AGROSAVIA, Tumaco, Nariño).
Associated publications
- Manual: Manual para la producción de especies forestales de bosque húmedo tropical del Pacífico: Criterios técnicos para la selección y germinación de semillas.
- Scientific article: Growth potential of Carapa guianensis (Aubl.) in Tumaco, Colombia.
- Scientific articleo: Evaluation of pre-germination treatments in Carapa guianensis AUBL.
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